Harriet Tubman Square

Harriet Tubman Square is a historic public space in downtown Newark, New Jersey, on land that was once part of the territory of the Munsee-speaking Lunaape (Lenape) people.

The park dates back to 1667, when Puritan settlers set aside the land as a commons, where Newarkers grazed their sheep and marketed their goods. The space was commonly referred to as “North Common” or “Upper Green”. In 1795, the town voted unanimously to turn the commons into a park and named it after George Washington.

In 2022, in celebration of Juneteenth holiday also known as “Emancipation Day”, the park was renamed Harriet Tubman Square, acknowledging the under-recognized histories  of African Americans and abolitionists who played a role in the quest of liberation and justice in the United States. New Jersey was the last Northern state to legally abolish slavery in 1866. Though the park is triangular, the name Harriet Tubman Square is intended to signify its historic role as a town gathering place.It stands as a touchstone of Newark history, culture, and community engagement.